2021 Kia Niro Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 3about this part
- Share
- 33%of 9 total for the year
- Median mileage
- —not reported
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2021 Kia Niro, 33% of the 9 complaints for this model year. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“This is a hybrid vehicle. It has Dual clutch transmission. Since I have owned it, intermittently the clutch does not disengage completely. This causes the vehicle to try to pull ahead but my foot is on the brake. The vehicle does not stall. Somehow it figures out it can't pull ahead and somehow fully releases. I have brought it to kia at least 3 times. In each case they tell me they cNt get the car to fail and since there are no codes produced they can't fix it. They even held onto the car several days. …”
NHTSA complaint #11730504, filed 2026-04“I received important safety recall letter for NHTSA recall # 23V534. the HCA & or Fuse might need to be replaced . I brought the 2021 Nero to my local Kia dealership, Eagle kia ,Riverhead NY on January 18th. The dealership still has the vehicle & claims that a code came up when they did the diagnostics That requires a part that must be secured to complete the fix for the recall. they claim they are awaiting approval from kia corporate & NHTSA to add to the technical bulletin. But their is no timeframe they have or when this additional part will be available. …”
NHTSA complaint #11570590, filed 2024-02“EV motor and drive train have a clattering noise, much like a playing card attached to a bicycle clattering against the wheel spokes. it speeds up and slows down with the acceleration of the motor.”
NHTSA complaint #11725753, filed 2026-03Related recalls
- 23V534000Jul 31, 2023Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2022 Niro and 2018-2022 Niro Plug-in Hybrid vehicles. Fluid may leak into the printed circuit board inside…Covers: Kia Niro 2017–2022, Niro Phev 2018–2022
Related service bulletins
- 11017172Apr 17, 2025TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: TRANSMISSION FLUID APPLICATION GUIDE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are…
- 11000787May 16, 2024This bulletin provides information relating to the correct transmission fluid type and fill quantity requirement for each Kia model. A flush is required ONLY when a transmission…
- 10226555Nov 18, 2022TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: TRANSMISSION FLUID APPLICATION GUIDE - This bulletin provides information relating to the correct transmission fluid type and fill quantity…
- 10201527Sep 15, 2021TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: SERVICE ACTION: HCU/LDC LOGIC IMPROVEMENT FOR P-DTC (SA484) - This bulletin provides the procedure to update the software logic of the Hybrid Control…
- 10187822Feb 5, 2021TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: 6-SPEED DCT SHIFT IMPACT/NOISE INSPECTION AND OIL REPLACEMENT - This bulletin provides the inspection method and procedure on some 2019-2020MY Niro…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 6% |
| 2024 | 2 | 20% |
| 2023 | 6 | 14% |
| 2022 | 4 | 13% |
| 2021 | 3 | 33% |
| 2020 | 8 | 21% |
| 2019 | 22 | 39% |
| 2018 | 19 | 32% |
| 2017 | 19 | 23% |
Other parts of the 2021 Kia Niro
2 complaintsEngine
2 complaintsOther or unknown
2 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
2 complaintsVehicle speed control
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2021 Kia Niro
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology